Striker Hillal Soudani is continuing his recovery from injury in Qatar, though it remains unlikely he’ll return before the end of the Championship campaign.

The 30-year-old Algerian has been out of action since injuring his knee during the Reds’ 3-2 defeat at Burton in the Carabao Cup back in November - that a reoccurrence of an injury which had already seen him miss two months of the early campaign.

It was hoped Soudani would be back before the season ends, but a setback during his recovery renders it unlikely Martin O’Neill will be able to call upon his services before next term.

Speaking after his fellow countryman picked up the injury, Adlene Guedioura admitted he felt hugely frustrated for his Forest teammate as injury brought a premature end to his first season in English football.

“I hope that he comes back to score the goal that wins us promotion,” said Guedioura. “I am not more upset than he is, obviously, but I certainly feel his frustration.